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And then she blew me off for no reason other than we were ‘grown ups’ and sleeping together didn’t mean anything. I call bullshit.
I set my thermos cup on the wall of her house and knock on the front door.
She might not be in, or her mum could answer. But my luck is holding.
“Why?” She slumps against the door as if resigned to my presence.
“Because I wanted to bring you a coffee.” I hand it to her and wait, but she doesn’t take it. Her expression doesn’t shift from the neutral, I’m-not-going-to-react gaze she’s trying to pull off. But I can tell that my rocking up has pushed her buttons, and indifference isn’t how she’s feeling.
“Coffee won’t change anything.”
“And,” I add. “I wanted to ask you a question,” I press, as the coffee idea seems to be failing.
“I’m not going to promise an answer.”
“Why?” I ask. I’m confused. If this was what she wanted to do, ignore me and move on, then why bother sleeping with me in the first place.
“What, why?”
“Why bother sleeping with me, or even agreeing to go on a date in the first place, if this was your plan all along?” My head tilts to the side as I try and figure that point out.
“And if I told you I wanted to have some fun?”
“Fine. I hope I accommodated your whim.” I smile and bow, pissed off that she still thinks this is just a game. Sure, a hundred girls could act like this, but I didn’t count Zennor as one of them. Even now.
“This won’t work. You can’t charm me or win me over. I’m not a foolish child.” Her bluster proves my point that I’m getting to her despite herself, but I keep that little win to myself.
“I’m not trying to charm you…”
“So, what’s this all about then?” She points to the coffee cup in my hand she still hasn’t taken, although I can see she’s tempted. It’s the best coffee, and I can smell the enticing aroma in the air.
“Honestly, it was a peace offering. Your visits to Molly’s tell me you like coffee. And I don’t want us to fight. Now, where I’m from, if someone goes out of their way to do that for someone else, they say thank you.” I give her a smile and place the coffee down on the wall that serves as a boundary to her house before taking a sip of mine.
“Well, how about you go back there, then.” There’s venom in her voice now.
“Where? Sorry, I don’t follow.”
“To where they taught you that.” Her eyes narrow, and she spits the words as if I offended her by simply being here. I wait for her to turn and slam the door in my face, but she doesn’t. She’s almost baiting me to say something more—to press her and start an argument, but I won’t. That’s not what I’ve come for. I stay, still expecting her to go back inside, but she stands her ground as if waiting for something else.
Her eyes study me, and I take the opportunity to study back.
Fire and heat burn hot and fierce behind their chestnut depths—as if the flames have been raging a lifetime. And that might be all aimed at me, but there’s still something between us. There’s a tension, thick and foggy; I wish she’d just snap out of this anger and realise it. But she seems so focused on ignoring what’s in front of her and hating me.
And when she stares at me, I want to kiss her—drag her back to the sofa where there was no problem between us, but I can tell that’s not where her head is now.
“I don’t know what I’ve done, but I’m not leaving Tregethworth. This is my home now, Zennor. It was my home before I even knew you were here. However, I won’t lie and pretend I didn’t like the fact you were back too.”
“You know, this was my home before you showed up. You have no claim here.” She stabs her finger at me as if making her point, but she has none.
“Ahh, see, that’s where you’re wrong. And you can’t do anything about it. Enjoy your coffee.” I might have intended to stay polite and good-natured, but she’s had her chances. I knock the coffee off the wall and spill it over the path.
“You’re an arsehole.”
“No, actually, I’m not. But you’re showing me just what a bitch you can be. You said yourself your plans aren’t set. You might want to reconsider them because I’m not changing mine. Whether you like it or not, I’m not leaving.”
CHAPTER17
ZENNOR
